Pulsating Brakes?

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   Today I picked up our new 20CK and hooked up the truck. On the way home, I noticed that when I hit the brakes the trailer brakes would activate, as expected, but they would seem to pulsate as certain speeds. Similar to the feeling of warped rotors on a vehicle.

It's worse the harder you use the brakes, and seems to be worse after you slow to 25 mph and slower. Sometimes it's worse than at other times. If you slow slowly, light on the brakes, it's hardly noticeable.

Since it's a short trip home, I don't have any more characteristics to share, or details.

Could this be caused by new trailer / brakes?

Anyone else notice this with their new trailer?

I'll add that I had the dealer service tech ride with me and he said that the magnets were not shorted and seemed to be functioning correctly. By watching the brake activator setting, he noticed that it was not changing as I pushed on the brakes, so no electrical shorts. When I bring it back to them on Monday, they will check it out further and maybe call Lippert for input.

Mike

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mikenannie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Weekend Camper Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 89	Post Options Post Reply Quote mikenannie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Pulsating Brakes? Posted: 11 Apr 2012 at 8:15pm
	Today I picked up our new 20CK and hooked up the truck. On the way home, I noticed that when I hit the brakes the trailer brakes would activate, as expected, but they would seem to pulsate as certain speeds. Similar to the feeling of warped rotors on a vehicle. It's worse the harder you use the brakes, and seems to be worse after you slow to 25 mph and slower. Sometimes it's worse than at other times. If you slow slowly, light on the brakes, it's hardly noticeable. Since it's a short trip home, I don't have any more characteristics to share, or details. Could this be caused by new trailer / brakes? Anyone else notice this with their new trailer? I'll add that I had the dealer service tech ride with me and he said that the magnets were not shorted and seemed to be functioning correctly. By watching the brake activator setting, he noticed that it was not changing as I pushed on the brakes, so no electrical shorts. When I bring it back to them on Monday, they will check it out further and maybe call Lippert for input. Mike

anaro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Location: Mebane, NC Status: Offline Points: 963	Post Options Post Reply Quote anaro Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 2012 at 9:19pm
	It sounds like your controller may not be adjusted correctly.
	2009 F250 Lariat Crew Cab 6.4L diesel 4WD 2011 Zinger ZT26BL Reese Dual Cam Hitch *Member of the Mason-Dixon Group*

mikenannie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Weekend Camper Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 89	Post Options Post Reply Quote mikenannie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 2012 at 9:28pm
	I adjusted the controller up and down to see if that resolved the issue but no luck. This is the same controller that was used with our previous trailer and I never noticed this when towing that trailer.

Stan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Status: Offline Points: 1672	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 2012 at 9:45pm
	It could be that the brakes are just not properly seated yet (formed to fit the drum). If the dealer finds nothing wrong, you might get the complaint in writing and use the rig for a few trips to see if the condition improves.
	Stan and Terri Oak Harbor, WA 2008 Chevy 2500HD D/A 2007 Cruiser CF30SK Glide Ride Pin Box Reese 16K Slider

cwit Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Status: Offline Points: 1901	Post Options Post Reply Quote cwit Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2012 at 5:57am
	I would also check for grease on brakeshoes.


AvyRoads Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Weekend Camper Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Fox Lake IL Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote AvyRoads Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2012 at 10:26am
	I noticed the same thing when I picked up my new Slingshot. I read on here about how to seat the brakes with a series of stops and problem has gone away!
	Rob & Heather 2013 F250 CC Lariat FX4 6.7 2012 Slingshot 32QB

mikenannie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Weekend Camper Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 89	Post Options Post Reply Quote mikenannie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2012 at 10:35am
	Thanks Rob. That's what I'm hoping for. If not, I'll follow up with some of the other suggestions here.

kymedic513 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Weekend Camper Joined: 17 Mar 2012 Location: Madisonville, K Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote kymedic513 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2012 at 8:15pm
	Well I took my Sunset Trail 29RL on its maiden trip this week. about 300 miles I noticed that when I would slow down to about 30mph and had the brakes applied the left rear brake is locking up and the tire is smoking from the tire skidding on the pavement. I have notice that there is a small amount of grease/lubercant of some kind that has run down on the wheel. Could I have a grease seal that may be blown and letting grease get on the drum or something causing it to lock up? I havent got a reply from my dealership to discuss the issue. Any suggestions? If its something that I might be able to fix myself it might be less expensive than having to make two trips to the dealership which is about 140 miles one-way. Thanks Kymedic513
	Billy & Linda Madisonville, KY '12 Sunset Trail Reserve, 2007 Dodge 2500 Ram MEGA CAB Cummins 6.7 Diesel

epjohnso Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Weekend Camper Joined: 19 Apr 2012 Location: Springfield, IL Status: Offline Points: 24	Post Options Post Reply Quote epjohnso Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Apr 2012 at 6:01pm
	Noticed the same pulsating on my new Sunset Trails RV only at slow speeds. I've only got about 300-350 miles on it so far, so I thought I would give it some time yet. Adjusting the controller didn't make a difference.
	Ed & Mary 2011 Sunset Trails 24RB 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 5.7Hemi

kymedic513 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Weekend Camper Joined: 17 Mar 2012 Location: Madisonville, K Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote kymedic513 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 2012 at 6:40am
	Follow up from last post. I checked with the dealer and they advised that in my case I probably have a brake that may be adjusted too tight. they suggested that I adjust the brake on the wheel that is locking up. There is a video on Youtube that explains how to adjust your brakes on an RV. It's really fairly simple. A brake adjusting tool which is a glorified wide flat head screwdriver will do the trick. they are relatively inexpensive or just use a regular screwdriver. If you feel uncomfortable to do it yourself, the dealer suggested that you could take your TT to most any tire dealer and they could make the adjustment for you. It would be nice for the TT dealership to adjust this under warranty, since mine is so far away, it is less expensive and time consuming for me to make the 140 mile trip. Thanks, Happy camping to everyone
	Billy & Linda Madisonville, KY '12 Sunset Trail Reserve, 2007 Dodge 2500 Ram MEGA CAB Cummins 6.7 Diesel